Semi-Final Women’s Recap

Subiaco’s 2025 WAFLW Finals campaign got off to a dramatic start with a closely fought loss to Claremont on Sunday. The Semi Final, which was played in front of a hostile crowd at Revo Fitness Stadium, was as close as can be allowed under the current rules with the sport. After the scores were tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the game went to extra time where the Tigers edged out by a single point.

The match saw no side dominate for very long, and the boggy conditions of Claremont’s home ground turned the game into an intense war of attrition. At Quarter Time, the scores were tied to a single goal for each side, before Subiaco kept Claremont scoreless for the second quarter to lead by 14 at half time.

But while the third quarter saw another twenty minutes of intense gameplay with no clear victor, Claremont came back with a vengeance in the fourth to close the gap. The scores were tied by a controversial kick after the siren, and confusion reigned amongst the stands as both sides geared up to continue the game beyond four quarters.

During extra time, the competing teams play out two 4-minute periods, with only a short break in between to swap scoring ends. It was during this intense affair that a stray behind for the Tigers put them in the lead, a margin that stayed put until the final siren finally blared, the final scores reading 4.5.29 to 4.4.28.

The Semi Final against Claremont came only 7 days after the two sides played each other in Round 18 for the title of Minor Premiers, a game that also took place in Claremont and saw the Tigers prevail by 33 points.

“Preparation is similar for us week to week, so nothing changed dramatically, but we did take some key learnings from the week before and really ensured we were prepared well leading into the Semi Final,” Coach Baker Denneman explained.

“They’re a quality opposition, and we needed to be better in some specific areas from the week prior, while also still going after what we are good at at the same time.”

While Claremont’s game on the day was noteworthy for how well set-up the team’s defence was, Subi’s was defined by the sheer intensity of its pressure. The Lions were relentless in the chase of the ball and the opposition, and limited the Tigers to just 27 inside 50s for the game. Subi star Krstel ‘KP’ Petrevski made a career-high 10 tackles despite the slippery conditions, which Eva Popovsky also matched.

“Our pressure is one of our areas we feel like we have ramped up on over the last couple of weeks, and we will continue to go after that area of our game,” Denneman explained.

“This time of year, the pressure valve is turned up, and we know as a group we have to match what the game demands, so competing at the contest is an area of our game we will continue to go after.”

Hayley ‘Gero’ Corlett made an impact in the midfield, with 20 disposals, 7 tackles and 6 i50s to her name. Petrevski was right beside her with 24 disposals, while follower Paige Sheppard also added 20 disposals and 6 tackles.

Captain Tess Lyons returned to the side after missing two games and dominated in the ruck, collecting 38 hitouts. Danika Pisconeri also helped out in ruck, while also being a key component in setting up scoring opportunities up forward.

In the forward line, Olivia Wolmarans kicked half of Subiaco’s goals for the day, with Aimee Schmidt and Sian Bosich also contributing one goal apiece.

“Our ability to compete, be strong at the contest and keep pushing each other was an important part of the game,” Denneman said. “The entire group showed great resolve to compete for four quarters, and then some. It was a real team effort and you could see that on the day.”

“We will take the positives and the learnings and look to evolve for this weekend, when we face Swan Districts.”

The loss means the Lions will be taking the scenic route to the WAFLW Grand Final. While Claremont advances straight to the big dance and takes a week off, Subiaco will head home and face Swan Districts, who defeated East Fremantle by a single point in their own Semi Final.

The Preliminary Final against the Swans takes place on Sunday, August 17 at 12:30 PM at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. The winner advances to the Grand Final, where the Tigers wait. The loser ends their 2025 campaign in bronze position.